New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady opened up Tuesday about playing the 2016 season while his mother Galynn was undergoing cancer treatments across the country.

Brady called into WEEI's Kirk & Callahan in support of the 2017 Jimmy Fund Radio Telethon.

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"It was a very challenging time for our family," Brady said. "My mom has been such an important, loving, caring, sweet, kind, generous mom. You want to be able to be there for her in moments like that. You just do the best you can do from afar."

Brady said playing football was hard to do, despite his commitment to the Patriots.

He said he knew his dad was taking good care of her, but it was the first time in his career his parents were unable to attend his games during the season. "Leading up to the Super Bowl, my dad had only been to one game all season," Brady said. "They hadn’t been at any of those games over the course of the year together, which was the first time in my entire playing career.

Brady said it was really special when she was at the Super Bowl. "She was really looking forward to going to the Super Bowl. I wanted her to be there and I wanted our team to get there."

The Patriots quarterback, who turned 40 earlier this month, said this mom is on the road to recovery.

"She couldn’t be any better considering everything she’s gone through," Brady said. "Everyone in our family is so happy. She got some tests back that were really positive and she’s on the road to recovery. We’re all very happy about that."